Chuck

lol

I'd definitely take a look.

Agreed.

Well, we are interested in acquiring a lefthander for the bullpen. While I doubt we have what it takes to trade for him, can you imagine.... Street, Chapman, Smith in the 7th, 8th and 9th inning?

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Reds are receiving "heavy interest" in Aroldis Chapman. It was MLB.com's Joe Frisaro who reported earlier Tuesday that the Reds were open to dealing the closer. As Rosenthal notes, the Reds need to drop payroll (an estimated $17 million) and other teams are aware of it, so they're getting tons of calls both on Chapman and Johnny Cueto. Chapman boasts a 2.32 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 430 strikeouts in 252 2/3 career major league innings.

Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin is in the United States and will take a physical with the Angels next week. Assuming he passes, his $8 million deal that was reported over a month ago will be finalized. With Howie Kendrick due to become a free agent after the 2015 season, Baldoquin could be ready to take over as the Angels' second baseman by 2016. Source: Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter

Just because it's the winter meetings doesn't mean we need to do something, just because. If we can shore of the bench, I'll be happy. All reports are that Richards will begin the season in the rotation. Weaver, Richards, Shoemaker, Wilson & one of Tropeano, Rasmus, Santiago is not bad headed into 2015. Our bullpen is good to go and we'll have Cron as our DH instead of Ibanez, who like our bullpen for the first 8-10 weeks last season was awful. I couldn't be happier with the team as it stands coming off a 98 win season, when you factor in the first 6-10 weeks of the season and the last two weeks of the season.

Players could regress, some players who were less than spectacular (see C.J. Wilson and Hamilton) can improve their production, some players who were good in 2014 could be great in 2015. I too see where Dipoto is coming from. Plus, we get a solid bullpen for the entire season, right out of the gate.

Why wouldn't he be? He's got a decent contract and has had one bad half the entire time he's been with us.

Big Joe McDonnell is in San Diego and will be sending me any rumors or new NEWS as he hears it. He's going to be interviewing Dipoto and Scioscia as well tomorrow.

While Dipoto said he's going to hold onto Kendrick, if the right deal is presented and Green has a good spring, he will not turn it down. I'm good with Tropeano at #5.

I agree!

All reports on Richards that I have received are positive. I believe he will be ready in ST. Remember folks, this is NOT an arm or shoulder injury. If he can run and plant, he's good. Chill.

Great series, Robert. Keep em coming!

I don't see how he couldn't.

Damn, if my Seahawks were undefeated I'd be in 1st place, or tied for 1st.

Thu Dec 04 Dallas at Chicago Sun Dec 07 Baltimore at Miami Carolina at New Orleans Houston at Jacksonville Indianapolis at Cleveland New York Giants at Tennessee New York Jets at Minnesota Pittsburgh at Cincinnati St Louis at Washington Tampa Bay at Detroit Buffalo at Denver Kansas City at Arizona Seattle at Philadelphia San Francisco at Oakland New England at San Diego Mon Dec 08 Atlanta at Green Bay

Agree. A starting 4 of Richards, Lester, Weaver and Shoemaker is VERY GOOD! CJ as our 5th starter ain't too shabby and if he fails, we can insert Rasmus, Santiago, Trop or Sum Yung Gui in the 5th spot.

Out all of last season with an arm injury. You cannot project a guy that can't get out of Low-A ball that's battled injuries. If he has a good season this year, he'll creep back into the top 10.

Expect what we saw in 2014, hope he exceeds those numbers. I don't think he'll be any worse than what we saw last season.

I do too.

I think they'll keep Kuma and trade Walker for Justin Upton. Right now, the Mariners have a better middle of the order than we do "on paper" with Cano, Cruz and Seager. Ackley and Morrison came on strong in the second half for the M's too. I have Seattle as the team that will give the Angels the most problems from the AL West in '15.

I think the mystery team is the Seattle Mariners.

Sign them both! Some good depth for down the road, perhaps late in the 2015 season.

And if he posted anything near an .801 OPS for an entire season, we'd be in damn good shape. That said, I think it's best to project low and hope for the best with regards to Hamilton.